Exemplary conduct of persons in influential position and authority …is vital for a speedy development of Ghana
The old adage, example is better than precept is more meaningful and relevant in the Ghanaian society at the present time than ever, for a speedy development of the country.
This sterling value is highly indispensable in any progressive society or country anywhere in the world at anytime; and Ghana is not an exception in the context of this sterling value.
In the past ages, a typical example of this value which was negated was at the time of Jesus Christ missionary work among the Jews in Palestine.
The lawyers, Pharisees and the Sadducees who occupied the top echelon of the Jewish society were notoriously fond of hypocrisy, lying and dishonesty in the interpretation and enforcement of the Mosaic law; and over burdened the common people with all sorts of obligations such as Sabbath observance, tax payment etc. whilst they themselves did not observe this laws that they were enforcing.
In Luke Chapter 11 verse 39-54, the Holy Scripture records the hypocrisy of the lawyers, Pharisees and Sadducees and their corruptible behaviour in the interpretation and enforcement of the Mosaic laws.
A society or nation which delights in the practice of these vices will certainly not experience a truly healthy and meaningful development but rather, retrogression and backsliding to a state of stagnation, anarchy and eventually decline and fall.
One can safely refer to this state of unpleasant affairs to the biblical times of the Israelites when they departed from obeying God’s laws and followed other gods such as the worship of the Baals, cheating, telling lies etc. God turned away from them and they experienced suffering.
Great empires of the past such as the great Roman Empire declined and fell as a result of the numerous vices and immoralities that the people practised such as dishonesty, cheating, telling lies and indulging in all kinds of pleasures and entertainment.
This kind of unhealthy state of affairs pushed the empire downtrend and deterioration; and eventually led to the fall of the great Roman Empire.
When truth and justice are lost in the society, injustice and suffering set in as a result!
The ideal situation is that when people take delight in espousing virtues and refrain from dishonesty, telling lies to each other, they develop much confidence in themselves and with their fellow men; and work very hard with sacrifice and determination to achieve noble goals for themselves and that of the nation at large.
Honesty is the best policy, so goes the popular saying; and so if everyone can develop this sterling value, it will help greatly in the developmental aspirations of the society; and the nation for that matter.
The present Ghanaian society is replete with hypocrisy, dishonesty, deceit and the telling of lies which do not augur well for a healthy meaningful and true development of Ghana.
Ghanaians must therefore try to change this uncomplimentary attitude for the better, so that Ghana can speedily experience a true realistic and meaningful development to make Ghana great and prosperous.
Majority of Ghanaians are Christians and Muslims by faith; and few go by the traditional religious faith, and so, I believe it will be easy for Ghanaians to turn over a new leaf in character and attitude by practising the moralities and virtues that the three faiths prescribe and espouse.
By practicalising the moralities and virtues that Christianity, Islam and traditional religious faith prescribe for living, Ghanaians can work very hard in honesty and sacrifice and move the country forward in development and prosperity.
In conclusion, I reiterate that example is better than precept and if all Ghanaians in authority and influential positions will set good examples by their actions and activities, it will go a long way to enhance all developmental aspirations of the country, such as the present ongoing one called “Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda”
BY: MICHAEL AKENOO
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The writer is a global Theatre Critic
